Cordless SPS smart antenna device

Claim 2

Apparatus for determination of the location of an observer or the time of observation by use of a Satellite Positioning System (SPS), the apparatus comprising: an antenna module, having a diameter in any plane parallel to a selected plane no greater than 13 cm and having a height measured perpendicular to the selected plane no greater than 10 cm, the module comprising: an SPS antenna positioned to receive SPS signals from one or more SPS satellites, where each satellite issues a distinct SPS signal, and to issue an antenna output signal; a frequency downconverter to receive the antenna output signal and to issue this signal as an output signal at a selected lower frequency; an SPS signal processor to receive the downconverter output signal, to process this signal to determine at least one of the present location of the SPS antenna or the present time of observation of a satellite by the antenna, and to issue information on the present location or the present time of observation as an output signal; a transmitter to transmit the output signal from the SPS signal processor to a selected receiver; and a first power supply, positioned to supply operating power to at least one of the SPS antenna, the downconverter, the SPS signal processor and the transmitter; a display module, having a diameter in any plane parallel to a second selected plane no greater than 13 cm and having a height measured perpendicular to the second selected plane no greater than 10 cm, the module comprising: a receiver positioned to receive the SPS signal processor output signal from the transmitter, where the receiver issues any signal it receives from the transmitter as a receiver output signal; a display processor to receive the receiver output signal, to process this signal for display of information contained in the signal received, and to issue the processed signal as an output signal; display means for receiving the display processor output signal and visually or audibly displaying at least one of the present location of the SPS antenna and the present time of observation by the antenna; and a second power supply, positioned to supply operating power to at least one of the receiver, the display processor and the display means; and a wireless link connecting the transmitter and the receiver, where the antenna module and the display module are spaced apart by a distance that is no more than approximately 300 meters.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wireless link operates with a carrier signal frequency in the range 10 8 Hz-10 15 Hz.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wireless link operates in the infrared or visible light frequency range.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wireless link operates in the radio frequency range.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wireless link operates in the acoustic or audible range of carrier frequencies.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said display includes a digital computer.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said display includes a navigation instrument.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said display displays a map of the local region.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said display also displays said present location of said antenna on said map.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said display includes an instrument for adding, modifying or deleting attributes on said map.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said includes an instrument for visually indicating the SPS-determined location or time of a selected event.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said display includes an instrument for SPS surveying.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said display means displays the coordinates of said present location of said SPS antenna.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said display means includes means for audibly presenting the SPS-determined location or time of a selected event.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transmitter is a first transceiver, said receiver is a second transceiver, and the second transceiver may transmit signals over said wireless link that are received by the first transceiver.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said Satellite Positioning System is a Global Positioning System (GPS).

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said Satellite Positioning System is a Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS).

Claim 19

Apparatus for determination of the location of an observer or the time of observation by use of a Satellite Positioning System (SPS), the apparatus comprising: an antenna module, having a diameter in any plane parallel to a selected plane no greater than 13 cm and having a height measured perpendicular to the selected plane no greater than 10 cm, the module comprising: an SPS antenna positioned to receive SPS signals from one or more SPS satellites, where each satellite issues a distinct SPS signal, and to issue an antenna output signal; a first frequency translator to receive the antenna output signal and to issue this signal as an output signal at a first selected frequency; a transmitter to receive the output signal from the first frequency translator and to transmit this signal to a selected receiver; and a first power supply, positioned to supply operating power to at least one of the SPS antenna, the first frequency converter and the transmitter; a display module, having a diameter in any plane parallel to a selected plane no greater than 13 cm and having a height measured perpendicular to the selected plane no greater than 10 cm, the module comprising: a receiver positioned to receive the first frequency translator output signal from the transmitter, where the receiver issues any signal it receives from the transmitter as an output signal; a second frequency translator to receive the receiver output signal and to issue this signal as an output signal at a second selected frequency; an SPS signal processor to receive the second frequency converter output signal, to process this signal to determine at least one of the present location of the SPS antenna or the present time of observation of a satellite by the antenna, and to issue information on the present location or the present time of observation as an output signal; a display processor to receive the SPS signal processor output signal, to process this signal for display of information contained in the signal received, and to issue the processed signal as an output signal; display means for receiving the display processor output signal and displaying at least one of the coordinates of the present location of the SPS antenna or the present time of observation by the antenna; and a second power supply, positioned to supply operating power to at least one of the receiver, the second frequency converter, the SPS signal processor, the display processor and the display means; and a wireless link connecting the transmitter and the receiver, where the antenna and the display module are spaced apart by a distance that is no more than approximately 300 meters.

Claim 20

Apparatus for determination of the location of an observer or the time of observation by use of a Satellite Positioning System (SPS), the apparatus comprising: an antenna module, having a diameter in any plane parallel to a selected plane no greater than 13 cm and having a height measured perpendicular to the selected plane no greater than 10 cm, the module comprising: an SPS antenna positioned to receive SPS signals from one or more SPS satellites, where each satellite issues a distinct SPS signal, and to issue an antenna output signal; a first frequency translator to receive the antenna output signal and to issue this signal as an output signal at a first selected frequency; a transmitter to receive the output signal from the first frequency translator and to transmit this signal to a selected receiver; and a first power supply, positioned to supply operating power to at least one of the SPS antenna, the first frequency converter and the transmitter; a display module, having a diameter in any plane parallel to a selected plane no greater than 13 cm and having a height measured perpendicular to the selected plane no greater than 10 cm, the module comprising: a receiver positioned to receive the first frequency translator output signal from the transmitter, where the receiver issues any signal it receives from the transmitter as an output signal; a second frequency translator to receive the receiver output signal and to issue this signal as an output signal at a second selected frequency; an SPS signal processor to receive the second frequency converter output signal, to process this signal to determine at least one of the present location of the SPS antenna or the present time of observation of a satellite by the antenna, and to issue information on the present location or the present time of observation as an output signal; a display processor to receive the SPS signal processor output signal, to process this signal for display of information contained in the signal received, and to issue the processed signal as an output signal; display means for receiving the display processor output signal and displaying at least one of the coordinates of the present location of the SPS antenna or the present time of observation by the antenna; and a second power supply, positioned to supply operating power to at least one of the receiver, the second frequency converter, the SPS signal processor, the display processor and the display means; and a wireless link connecting the transmitter and the receiver, where the antenna and the display module are spaced apart by a distance that is no more than approximately 300 meters.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said wireless link operates with a carrier signal frequency in the range 10 8 Hz-10 15 Hz.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said wireless link operates in the infrared or visible light frequency range.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said wireless link operates in the radio frequency range.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said wireless link operates in the acoustic or audible range of carrier frequencies.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said display processor includes a digital computer.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said display is a navigation instrument.

Claim 27

The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said display displays a map.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said display is an instrument for adding, modifying or deleting attributes on said map.

Claim 29

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said is an instrument for marking the SPS location and time of an event.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said is an instrument for SPS surveying.

Claim 31

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said display means displays the coordinates of said present location of said SPS antenna.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said display means displays a map that indicates said present location of said SPS antenna.

Claim 33

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said display means includes means for audibly presenting the SPS-determined location or time of a selected event.

Claim 34

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said Satellite Positioning System is a Global Positioning System (GPS).

Claim 35

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said Satellite Positioning System is a Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS).